Pipe puller



C. H. HUTTO July 21, 1925.

PIPE FULLER Original Filed March 30, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,4 IPiL l Z f T A TTORNE Y.

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Original Filed March 30, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fg'yJO.

Patented July 21, 1925 UNITED STATES CHARLES H. HUTTO, or HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, or

ONE-HALF TO ANNA LOU MILNER, or PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS;

PIPE FULLER.

Application filed March 30, 1923, Serial Ne. efaasis. Renewed May 21, i925 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. HUTTO, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe Pullers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a grapple or puller, designed primarily for removing well casing sections, tubes and pipes which have been sunk or embedded in the ground, from such position, but it is to be understood that a grapple or puller, in accordance with this invention, can be employed for any purpose wherein it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide a device of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, witha pair of grip-per elements, one shiftable length wise relatively to the other, and means cooperating with said gripper elements, when one is shifted relatively to the other for causing said elements to be moved into and held in gripping engagement with respect to the casing section, pipe or tube, whereby when the grapple is elevated the casing section, pipe or tube will be carried therewith.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device, for the purpose set forth and in a manner as hereinafter more fully described, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eflicient in its use, conveniently operated for clamping the article to be drawn or lifted, readily installed and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically de scribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a front elevation of a grapple or puller, in accordance with this invention, withthe elementsof the: device in non-- clamping position,

Figure 2' is a side elevation witli'th'e' elep e'nts of the device in non-clamping past ion.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view ef the grapple or puller, with the gripper ele: ments in non-gripping positien andfurther illustrating the positionjof the device with respect to 'a pipe, the latter being shown iii dotted lines. y

Figure 4 is a'view similar to Figure' 'with the gripper elements of the grapple er puller shifted to gripping position with respect to the pipe. Figure 5' is an elevation of the shift'afble gripper element of the grapple or puller Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the other gripper element of the grapple o'r p'uller. p 1 Figure 7 is a section online 'Zf7, Figures; Figure 8 is a section on'line 8 8,Fig'ure Figure 9 is a sectiono'n line 9 -19,Fijguref}. Figure 10 is a p'erspectii ej View of the shifting member cooperating with 'theelai'nping elements for shifting them, laterally with respect to each other to clamping position with respect to the pipe; 7 s

Figure 11 is a sectional elevationpf a n'odified form of grapple or puller, in ac: cordance with thisinvention Figure '12 is a fragmentary view ditheshiftable clamping shown in Figure 11. I v I Figure 13 is a section'on line'j1313, Fig ure 11. v I

I Referring to Figures 1 tofllO of the draw ings, a grapple, puller or lifting device, in accordance with this invention, which is hereinafter termed a pipe puller, comprises a shiftable gripper element, a gripper element constituting a carrier for the other gripper element, a plurality of shiftingmem hers interposed between and cooperating with the gripper elements for shifting thenr laterally relative to each other whereby they are moved to gripping position to grip the pipe for liftin'g'the same, a spring controlled connecting element for detacliably'c'orinecb' ing the gripper elements together, and t'l'ifting element for each of the gripper elements} One of the gripper elements, is'indicated generally by the reference characterlO, the other of the gripper elements is indicated generally by the reference character 1'l.

The gripper element 10 constitutes a-caf: rier for the gripper element 11, said gripper element 10 consists of an"intermef-" elements of the form further includes a lower portion 14, which is cylindrical in cross section and formed with a tapered lower end 15. The lower portion 14 is provided with a tapered socket. 16, which is segment shaped incontour, and the size of the mouth of the socket 16 is such as to provide at the upper end of the lower portion'14, a segmental shoulder 17. Y

c The top of the upper portion 13 is formed with a socket 18, in which is secured the shank'l9 of a threaded member 20, extending above the upper terminus of the element 10- and which provides means for securing a lifting element to the upper end of the element 10 and which will be hereinafter referred to.

p i The inner face of the element 10, at the upper end of the intermediate portion 12, and further at apoint in proximity to the lower end of said intermediate portion 12, is formed with a cavity, and one of said cavities is indicated at 21 and the other at 22. The bottom wall 23, of each of said cavities is flat, and the inner wall which is indicated at 24, extends upwardly from the inner end of the wall 23, and, at an outward inclination, whereby a cavity is set up having its inner wall 24 constituting a wedge actuating means. Each of the cavities are of triangular contour. I

' The intermediate portion 12, of the element 10, between the cavities 21 and 22, is provided with a chamber 25, which opens at the inner face of the element 10, through the medium of a lengthwise extending elongated rectangular slot 26. The outer face of the element 10, is provided with an opening 27, communicating with the chamber 25 and which provides means for the positioning in the chamber 25 of a. spring controlled connecting member which will be presently referred to. g

The element 11 is semi-circular in contour at any point throughout its length,'and

' said lower portion 29 provides a retaining projection which seats in the socket 16 when the elements 10 and 11 are engaged together in a manner as hereinafter referred to. The socket 16 acts as a retaining means for the lower-portion 29 and also performs somewhat the function of a guide duringthe lengthwise shifting of the element 11 relative to the element 10. i

The upper portion 30 of the element 11 tapers from its lower to its upper terminus,

ing element.

The inner face of the intermediate portion .28, of the member 11, is provided near its upper end and in proximity to its lower end with a wedge shaped cavity, and the said cavities are indicated at 34, 35, and are similar in construction to the. cavities 21;, 22. The cavity 34 opposes the cavity 21 but is oppositely disposed with respect thereto. The cavity 35 opposesthe cavity 22 but is oppositely disposed with respect thereto. The inner walls of the cavities 34, 35, areindicated at 36 and provide wedge shifting means.

The shifting members for the gripper elements, are each formed of a short cylindrical roller 37, one of which is mounted in the cavities 21,34, and the other of which is mounted in the cavities 22, 35. The shafting members are engaged by the, inner walls 24,36, of the cavities, so that when the element llis moved upwardly relative to the element 10, 'the members .37 engaging the inclined walls 24, 36, will shift the elements 10 and 11 laterally to a position to grip the inner face of the pipe 38, and when moved to such position, when the gripper elements are simultaneously elevated the pipe 38 will be carried therewith; The position to whichthe elements 10 and 11 are shifted to gripping position with respect to the pipe 38 is shown in Figure 4.

The inner face of the intermediate por-' tion 28, of the element 11, is provided with a socket 39, and fixedly engaging therewith is the threaded shank 40 of a spring controlled connecting element which is employed for detachably connecting the element 11 to the element .10. I

The spring controlled connecting element, not only includes the shank 40, but further a coiled spring 41, which is mounted on the shank 40 between a and the head 43 of the shank 40. Y

The shank 40 of the connecting element is of a length so that it will project into the chamber 25, of the element 10, and said shank 40 is positioned in the slot 26. The retaining member 42, spring .41 and head 43 are arranged in the chamber 25, and the opening 27 provides means whereby the connecting element can be secured in position with respect to the elements ,10 and 11.

l/Vhen the element 11 is shifted lengthwise, relative to the element 10, so that said elements 10 and 11 will assume the-position shown in Figure 4, the shifting of the element 11 is had against the action of the spring 41, so that when the element 11 is shiftable retainer 42 1 released the spring 41 will tend to cause the element 11 to assume the position shown in Figure 3.

Threadably engaging with the member 20 is a coupling member 44, to which a cable is connected, and threadably engaging with the member 33 is a coupling member 45 to which a cable 46 is connected. The coupling member 44 and cable 45 provide a lifting element for the gripper element 10, and the coupling member 45 and cable 46 provide a lifting element for the gripper element 11.

The lower portion 29 of the gripper element 11, is inset in such a manner as to provide for the seating of the lower terminus of the intermediate portion 28,0f the element 11, on the shoulder 17, when the device is in inoperative position, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The taper of the upper portions 13 and, 30, of the elements 10 and 11 respectively, is such that a space, as indicated at 47 will be formed between said portions 13 and 30 so that the shifting of the element 11, relative to the element 10, will not be interfered with.

In the modified form shownin Figures 11, 12 and 13, the griper element which constitutes the carrier, and is indicated by the reference character 48, is of the same construction as the element 10, and the reference characters employed in connection with element 10 are used for the details of construction of the element 48.. The difference in construction between the device shown in Figure 11, and that shown in Figure 3 resides solely in the construction of the shiftable gripper element 49, and in this connection it will be stated that the gripper element 49 corresponds to the gripper element 11. The element 49 is not provided with the cavities 34 and 35, but in lieu thereof, is formed with a pair of wedge shaped protuberances 50, 51, which cooperate with the inner walls 24, of the cavities 21, 22, for the purpose of shifting the gripper elements 48, 49 laterally and relatively to each other so that the said elements will be moved into gripping engagement with respect to the pipe. Otherwise than that as stated, the construction shown in Figure 11 is the same as that shown in Figure 3.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention. is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the light of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim is 1. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, one shift-able lengthwise relatively to. the other, a sprlng'i controlled connecting element between said gripper elements, a' lifting element con nected to the upper end of each of said gripper elements, and means for moving said gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise relatively to the other.

2. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, one shift'able lengthwise relatively to the other, a spring controlled connecting element between said gripper elements, a lifting element connected to the upper end of each of said gripper ele-' ments, a plurality of shifting members interposed betweensai'd gripper elements, and said gripper elements having means co-acting with said members for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of the gripper elements is shiftedlengthwise relatively to the other.

3. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, a spring controlled connecting element between said gripper elements, said connecting element carried by one of said gripper elements and shiftable lengthwise of the other of said gripper elements, a lifting element connected to the upper end of each of said gripper elements, and means arranged between said gripper elements for shifting them laterally relative to each other when one of said gripper elements is shifted lengthwise relatively to the other.

4. A pipe puller comprising a pair'of interengaging gripper element-s, a connecting element between said gripper elements, said connecting element carried by one of said gripper elements andshiftable lengthwise of the other of said gripper elements, and means arranged'between said gripper ele-; ments for shifting them laterally relative to each other when oneof said gripper elements is shifted lengthwise relative to the other.

5. A pipe puller comprising a pair of'in-' terengaging gripper elements,- a connecting element between said gripper elements, said connecting element-carried by one of said gripper elements and shiftable lengthwise: of the other of said gripper elements, means arranged between said gripper elements for shifting them laterally'relative to each other" when one ofsaid gripper elements is shifted lengthwise relative to the other, anda lifting element connected to the upper end of each of said gripper el'ements.

6. A pipe puller comprising a pair of in terengaging gripper elements, one opposing the other, each of said elements having its inner faceprovided with a plurality of, wedge shaped cavities, the cavities of one of said elements opposingvthe-cavities of the other of said elements and oppositel'y'disposed with respect thereto, and 'rollers' mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the" inner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to- 7 said elements opposing'the cavities .of the other of said elements and oppositely dis.- posed with respect thereto, rollers mounted insaid cavities and, cooperating with the inner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise with respect to the other, and a connecting element secured to one of said gripper elements and extendinginto and shiftable lengthwise of the other of said elements.

8. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, one opposing the other, each of said elements having its inner face provided with a plurality of wedge shaped cavities, the cavities of one of said elements opposing the cavities of the other of said elements and oppositely disposed with respect thereto, rollers mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the inner walls thereof for shiftingthe gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise with respect to the other, and a spring controlled connecting element secured to one of the gripper elements and extending into and movable lengthwise of the other of said gripper elements.

9. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, oneopposing the other, each of said elements having its inner face provided with aplurality of wedge shaped cavities, the cavities of one of said elements opposing the cavities of the other of said elements and oppositely disposed with respect thereto, rollers mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the inner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise with respect to the other, and a lifting element connected to the upper end of each of said gripper elements. 7

10. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, one opposing the other, each of said elements having its inner face provided with a plurality of wedge shaped cavities, the cavities of one of said elements'opposing the cavities of the other of said elements and oppositely disposed with respectthereto, rollers mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the inner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other where one of said elements is shifted lengthwise with respect to the other, a connecting element secured to one of saidgripper elements and extending into and shiftable posed with respect thereto, rollers mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the inner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise with respectto the other, a spring controlled connecting .element secured to one ofthe gripper elements and extending into and movable lengthwise of the other of said gripper elements, and a lifting element connected to the upper end of each of said grip per elements.

12. A pipe puller comprising a pair of intel-engaging gripper elements, one opposing the other, each of said elements having its inner face provided with a plurality. of

wedge shaped cavities, the cavities of one of said elements opposingothe cavities of the other of said elements and oppositely disposed with respect thereto, and rollers mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the inner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise with respect to the other, each of said elements formed with a'semicircular intermediate portion and tapered upper and lower portions, said upper portions of said gripper elements being permanent-1y spaced from each other.

13. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, one opposing the other, each of said elements having its inner face provided with a plurality of wedge. shaped cavities, the cavities of one of said elements opposing the cavities of the other of said elements and oppositely disposed with respect thereto, rollers mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the inner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise withvres pect to the other, each of said elements formed with a semicircular intermediate portion and tapered upper and lower, portions, said upper portions of said gripper elements being permanently spaced from each other, and alifting element connected to the upper portion of each of said gripper elements;

14. A pipe puller comprising a pair of interengaging gripper elements, one opposing the other, each of said elements having its inner face provided with a plurality of wedge shaped cavities, the cavities of one of said elements opposing the cavities of the other of said elements and oppositely disposed with respect thereto, rollers mounted in said cavities and cooperating with the in ner walls thereof for shifting the gripper elements laterally with respect to each other when one of said elements is shifted lengthwise with respect to the other, each of said elements formed with a semi-circular intermediate portion and tapered upper and lower portions, said upper portions of said gripper elements being permanently spaced from each other, a lifting element connected to the upper portion of each of said gripper elements, and a connecting element secured to one ofsaid gripper elements and slidably connected with the other of said gripper elements.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

CHARLES H. HUTTO, 

